Monday, 13 May 2013

Death at Wentwater Court

Great excitement yesterday--my editor sent me the cover art of the Polish edition of my very first mystery, Death at Wentwater Court, first published in 1994.

The book, Daisy Dalrymple's first adventure, is set in England in 1923--I'm not sure this cover quite brings the '20s to mind. This is the original US hardcover (and ebook). England, definitely, but not specifically 1920s.

Even this, the UK cover, isn't particularly '20s-ish.

The two German editions give a somewhat better feel of the period.

The US paperback is pretty good.

The audio book gives Daisy what looks like a Roman helmet...

In the end, I think my favourite is the large print edition.

What do you think?

Excerpt:

"Will
you skate with us this morning, Daisy?" Fenella asked. "I
know you're frightfully busy but this weather may not last and we
don't get such spiffing freezes very often."

"Yes,
I'd like to, if I can borrow skates?"

"We
have a cupboardful," James assured her. "There's bound to
be something to fit you."

"Jolly
good. I'll finish off the roll of film in the camera down
at the lake, and spend the rest of the morning developing my pictures."

Sir
Hugh, emerging from his newspaper, told her he owned shares
in the Eastman Kodak company and asked about the developing
and printing process. Daisy explained as she ate. James
and Fenella lingered over their coffee until she had finished
her breakfast, then took her to look for a pair of

skates.

Outside,
the air was crisp and still. Daisy couldn't resist leaving
a footprint or two in the glistening untrodden snow beside
the path. It crunched underfoot.

James
carried the skating boots down the hill for her as she was
laden with camera and tripod. While she set them up, he and Fenella
sat on the bench and put on their skates. They circled slowly
at the near end of the lake, waiting for her.

"Go
ahead," she called, already chilled fingers fumbling at
the stiff catch that attached the camera to the tripod. "I'll be
with you in half a mo."

Waving
to her, they joined hands and whizzed off towards the bridge.
As they reached it, James yelled, "Stop!"

They
swerved to a halt beneath the arch. James moved cautiously
forward into the black shadow cast by the low sun.